Three Somerset County Men Charged For Bank Robbery

Three Somerset County men were charged with at least one count of bank robbery today due to their alleged involvement in armed robbery at the Somerset Savings Bank in Somerville on June 12.

Luis Castaneda, 38, of Bound Brook, Carmelo Soto Jr., 24, of Manville Jamie Lee Ayuso Jr., 38, of Hillsborough are scheduled to make their initial appearances this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III, according to New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.

Castaneda and Soto were also charged with one count each of using a firearm during the commission of crime of violence.

According to documents filed in this case and statements court:

• On June 12, 2015, Castaneda and Soto entered the Somerset Savings Bank while Ayuso stayed behind in the getaway vehicle.

• Castaneda drew a handgun while Soto jumped over the teller counter and demanded money from the bank tellers.

• After leaving the bank with the stolen money, Castaneda and Soto got in the getaway vehicle. Law enforcement officers immediately pulled over the getaway vehicle and arrested all three men.

The bank robbery count carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The brandishing a firearm during the bank robbery count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, which must be served consecutive to the other count.